Thinking about selling the 640

**Crisis management** · 14th May 2012, 17:46

As the title suggests I'm contemplating selling the 640 Adventure as part of the never ending search for the perfect bike (yeah, right). The 640 is perfect for gravel and off road but a bit big for tighter off road work, seeing as we are a bit light on challenging off-road style adventure rides in Auckland (surprise, surprise) and I really only have time for 1 day rides, I want to explore the more adventure trail rides and a 450 seems better for that.
If I go to a 450 I can still do adventure rides and use the bike for trail rides as well, selling off the 640 and the 200 EXC, keeping the R80 for general purpose and just gravel riding.

What I'm after is any comments or experiences people have had using a 450 for adventure riding, I would rather ask the dumb questions now....... so come on guys, let me have your advice.

**That looks like fun** · 14th May 2012, 18:35

450 what

Not that I have had one of any sort, just arksing

**.chris** · 14th May 2012, 19:15

I hear the new WR450's are road legal, I would love to have the cash to buy one and adventureize it. If they can do it for the dakar why can't I.

**Crisis management** · 14th May 2012, 19:49

Originally Posted by That looks like fun

450 what

Not that I have had one of any sort, just arksing

Just arseing around are you?

Probably a KTM (450EXC) cause I like KTMs but Rogsons' WR has impressed him so I would be interested in looking at them more closely, whatever it is, I want to ride it on trail rides like the 200 I currently use as well as be adaptable for adventure riding.
Failing all else I, could adventurise the R80 by changing the tyres.....

**That looks like fun** · 14th May 2012, 19:53

Had a look at the wr450 before I got the 250. Road legal, etc. Maintenance schedule was what swung it to the 2fiddy.
But jeez that extra 200 would have been nice

Mach 1 have a 450 (new) on the showroom floor. Katrina did me a good deal on the 2fiddy, I think her arm has healed but it twisted a long way up her back before it broke

**dino3310** · 14th May 2012, 21:02

Gotta agree on the new 450 yammy

its looking real good in the magzine reviews, tuneing doohicky too.
the DRZ's are making a comeback, the couple from epic adventures had a pair of well set up knarly ADV DRZ's.

i Know where your at, the move from the DRBIG to the XR6 was fantastic for the ruff stuff.

aint oscar got a ktm 520 or simalar up for sale

your welcome to grab the XR for some play time

**Motu** · 14th May 2012, 21:53

That Airhead's creeping under your skin.....pretty soon you'll be down to just the one bike.

**Oscar** · 14th May 2012, 21:59

Originally Posted by Motu

That Airhead's creeping under your skin.....pretty soon you'll be down to just the one bike.

What airhead?

**Motu** · 14th May 2012, 22:27

He's got an R80 he's too embarrassed to be seen on....

**young1** · 14th May 2012, 22:39

Originally Posted by That looks like fun

Had a look at the wr450 before I got the 250. Road legal, etc. Maintenance schedule was what swung it to the 2fiddy.
But jeez that extra 200 would have been nice

Mach 1 have a 450 (new) on the showroom floor. Katrina did me a good deal on the 2fiddy, I think her arm has healed but it twisted a long way up her back before it broke

What is the maintenance schedule like for the WR 450?

Also any of the true endure 450's, what is their gearing like for cruising at 100 km/hr? That might be something to look into when comparing bikes. Are the Yamaha and KTM both 6 speed?

**cooneyr** · 14th May 2012, 23:35

I did exactly this (without the 'luxury' of owing a R80). WR450 last I looked was 5 speed (not sure about 2012) where as EXC 6 speed. This is the primary reason I went EXC. Newer (post 08 motors) were when I last read a bit of an unknown with the older RFS motor (06 or 07 preferable but anything post about 03 OK) more suited to your (and mine) intended purpose. I found stories on ADV rider of RFS EXC's doing 900 hours with nothing more than stainless steel valves being installed at around 200 hours and lots of oil changes (actually they weren't that nice with oil changes either)

In short EXC

has heaps of speed and yet still trail worthy
lots of bling available - i.e. 13l or 17l or 25l tanks, lighting upgrades, oil coolers plus all enduro gear i.e. light (doesn't way much light) stuff, suspender upgrades etc
you can sell your 640 without its rear wheel and it slots straight into a EXC giving you a cush drive for ADV work. Also lots of tard wheels if you feel the need
more than enough stomp to keep you entertained and if not get a 525. Would be interesting to do a 525 and 640 side by side accel run
is more than trail capable bit will probably tire you out more than the 200 (especially a 525). I did 90km of trail ride (till front engine mounting bolt fell out cause of some monkey trying to be a mechanic i.e. me) and am feeling it now!
down side is that you need to pretty handy with oil changes (I do every 15 hours), filters and valve check every other oil change. None of it hard - just takes time. Suggest pretty cheep though - only 1.2l of oil and filters pretty cheep. Still don't know why two screens and two filters
gear carrying capacity limited but look at giant loop or wolfman E-10 panniers (got E-10's myself and they work real good)

So go for it its all good - just get the spanners on standby.

Cheers R

**Taz** · 15th May 2012, 06:13

I'll start the bidding on the 640 at $500.

**Crisis management** · 15th May 2012, 07:48

Originally Posted by Motu

He's got an R80 he's too embarrassed to be seen on....

Tis faster than the speed of light, it's the only reason I've not been seen

Originally Posted by cooneyr

So go for it its all good - just get the spanners on standby.

Cheers R

Thanks Ryan, just the info I was looking for, interested in your comment about it being more tiring than the 200 for trail riding, when I rode Taz's 525 I certainly found it heavier and realised there was need to learn a different technique / skill set to get the best out of it. Actually just any skill would have helped, bit embarrassing comparing lap times on the same bike, I'm claiming advanced maturity on my part.

Originally Posted by Taz

I'll start the bidding on the 640 at $500.

Worth more than yours' already then?

I was hoping for around $8k, we will see when / if I stick it on Tardme.

**clint640** · 15th May 2012, 09:16

Originally Posted by Taz

I'll start the bidding on the 640 at $500.

$510. I'll let ya keep the back wheel for that too.

Have you thought about getting a 625SXC seat & tank for the 640? It's amazing how much more of a trailbike the 625 feels, or even just a 640E with a 12L tank. Converting the Adv wouldn't be hard. A 450 makes more sense if you're not racking up the k's or wanting to carry much gear though.

Cheers
Clint